Winter to Arrive After Heavy Rains

Heavy rains are expected to drench Korea on Monday and Tuesday, heralding the beginning of winter after a brief warm spell last week.

The rain started on Jeju Island and is moving north to central parts of the country later in the day. The Korea Meteorological Administration said it will last until early Tuesday morning, varying by region from 10 mm to 80 mm.

Mercury levels will remain above 10 degrees Celsius in many parts on Tuesday morning but fall to -5 degrees in most parts of the country except some southern areas on Wednesday morning.

It will fall even further on Thursday to -10 degrees in central parts with strong winds that are expected to make it feel even colder. Western coastal areas could even see snow.

Street-cheering events nationwide for Korea's second World Cup match against Ghana in Qatar on Monday night here are likely to be rained out.